Pittsburgh Pirates: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Off to fast start, Pirates' Mitch Keller takes aim at Nationals

Mitch Keller is off to the best start of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, while fellow right-hander Miles Mikolas' first season with the Washington Nationals has been a disaster.

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Pirates' Paul Skenes Makes Interesting Pitch Mix Decision

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes went with a different approach than normal in his most recent start vs. the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / April 14

Three good and three bad things from the Pirates so far in 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates have played through 16 games so far this season and are sitting at a 10-6 record. There have been several things that have stood out from this team so far in 2026, both good and bad.

Hunter Barco News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 14

Pirates Manager Explains Hunter Barco Decision

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates made their first change to their pitching staff since Opening Day, which changes the outlook of their bullpen. The Pirates optioned left-handed pitcher Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis and recalled left-handed pitcher Evan Sisk in his place on April 13, sending the rookie southpaw to the minors.

Cleveland Guardians News / Yardbarker Quizzes

The 'Most games played by MLB team' quiz

How many of the players to appear in the most games all-time for each MLB franchise can you name in five minutes?

The 'MLB active doubles leaders' quiz

The 'MLB yearly runs created leaders' quiz

The 'Youngest MLB 30/30 seasons' quiz

MLB News / Larry Brown Sports / April 14

Pirates post monstrous 10-run inning vs. Nationals

The Pittsburgh Pirates laid the lumber on the Washington Nationals on Monday with an inning for the ages. The Pirates had Paul Skenes on the mound, who historically hasn’t gotten a lot of run support throughout his young career.

MLB News / Yardbarker

25 current MLB players who will end up in the Baseball Hall of Fame

Some things appear clear when it comes to Baseball Hall of Fame voting. The PED guys aren’t going to get in, or at least the hitters, and the rubric for starting pitchers has to be reconstructed on the fly.

Brandon Lowe News / MLB on ClutchPoints / April 13

Pirates’ Brandon Lowe pulls off bonkers feat not seen in over 100 years

The Pittsburgh Pirates have been one of MLB’s biggest surprises to begin the 2026 season. Their winning ways continued on Monday, as they demolished the Washington Nationals to the tune of a 16-5 victory, moving to 10-6 on the season and remaining on top of the NL Central pecking order at present.

MLB News / Field Level Media / April 13

Pirates use massive sixth to clobber Nationals 16-5

Brandon Lowe had five RBIs for the second consecutive game to lead the host Pittsburgh Pirates to a 16-5 rout of the Washington Nationals on Monday night.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates Obliterate Nationals in Support of Paul Skenes

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates gave right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes some support from the plate and then some against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates scored 16 runs in the 16-5 victory in the series opener over the Nationals at PNC Park, marking their highest-total of runs scored in 2026.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Bucs Dugout / April 13

Pirates demote young lefty to start games in Triple-A

The Pittsburgh Pirates used a unique strategy with their young starting pitchers in 2025. The team called up top pitching prospects Braxton Ashcraft and Bubba Chandler to make highly anticipated debuts — Chandler more than any rookie in the organization last season — but out of the bullpen.

Jared Jones News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Jared Jones Back With Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have a strong pitching staff, but they hope that Jared Jones' return back from injury will make them even better. Jones is with the Pirates ahead of their series opener vs.

Paul Skenes News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates vs. Nationals Bold Predictions: Paul Skenes Denies Washington

The Pittsburgh Pirates bring the National League Central lead back to PNC Park on Monday, opening a four-game home set against the Washington Nationals after a weekend that saw them take two of three from the Chicago Cubs but squander a five-run lead in Sunday’s finale.

Athletics News / Yardbarker

Who are the 25 fastest players in MLB right now?

Speed is more important than ever in MLB with recent rule changes promoting stolen bases. These were the 25 fastest players for the 2026 season, as recorded by the Statcast sprint speed metric.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Former Pirates Ace Throwing First Pitch Against Rays

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates will welcome a familiar face to PNC Park ahead of their series against the Tampa Bay Rays. As the team kicks off a weekend theory against their AL Central opponent, the Pirates will look to continue an impressive start to the season.

Konnor Griffin News / Minor League Baseball on SI / April 13

MLB Insider Explains Why Pirates Could Consider Sending Konnor Griffin Back to Minors

In his first taste of major league action, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin hasn't seen the same immediate success at the plate that he's had in the minors.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'Five 3's off the bench games' quiz

The 'Masters runners-up since 2000' quiz

The 'NBA top-seed top-scorers' quiz

The 'Three blocks-per-game NBA seasons' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Pirates Make Hunter Barco Decision Many Saw Coming

The Pittsburgh Pirates made a pair of bullpen moves ahead of their series opener against the Washington Nationals at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Colin Beazley reported that the Pirates have optioned left-hander Hunter Barco to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Three Overreactions to Pirates 9-6 Start

PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Pirates are off an impressive start to the 2026 season, with a 9-6 record and the top spot in the National League Central division.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Last Word On Sports / April 13

Pirates Mock Trade to Bolster the Bullpen

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen has certainly had its moments, both good and bad, to start the year. However, it may need a facelift sooner rather than later.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

3 Winners, 3 Losers Through Pirates First 15 Games

The Pittsburgh Pirates have gotten off to some impressive starts in the 2020s, but something feels different this time around. At 9-6, the Pirates currently sit atop a crowded NL Central while having the fourth-best ERA (3.23) and being tied for the 12th-most runs (66) in the league.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / The Lead / April 13

How Are the Pittsburgh Pirates Turning the Tide?

Throughout professional sports, there’s always a handful of teams that act as laughing stocks within their respective leagues. The Cleveland Browns haven’t won a division since 1989 and have gone on a streak of finishing last in their division for 13 of 15 years.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Pittsburgh Pirates on SI / April 13

Bullpen Starting to Present Problem for Pirates

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates came into 2026 with high expectations on their pitching staff and while their starting rotation has lived up to them, the bullpen hasn't done so at all.

Paul Skenes News / Field Level Media / April 13

Riding momentum from sweep, Nationals ready for Pirates, Paul Skenes

Fresh off their first three-game road sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in 20 years, the Washington Nationals will try to keep their momentum going when they face the Pirates and ace Paul Skenes on Monday night in the first contest of a four-game series in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 12

How former Pirates star Phil Garner earned the nickname 'Scrap Iron'

Former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Phil Garner died Saturday at 76 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, his family said in a statement released on Sunday.

Former World Series manager Phil Garner dies at 76

MLB News / Yardbarker / April 11

Oneil Cruz continuing to show why Pirates can't give up on him

It was a little more than two weeks ago that Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Oneil Cruz made headlines for all of the wrong reasons on opening day.

Pirates nip Cubs on Caleb Thielbar’s 11th inning throwing error

Bryan Reynolds' homer the difference in Pirates' defeat of Cubs

Konnor Griffin eyes bright Pirates future after signing record contract

Pirates owner addresses Konnor Griffin's record-breaking extension

The 'MLB 2025 multi-hit game leaders' quiz

Enmanuel Valdez News / MLB Trade Rumors / April 9

Pirates outright Enmanuel Valdez

The Pirates sent utility infielder Enmanuel Valdez outright to Triple-A Indianapolis, per the MLB.com transaction log. He evidently cleared waivers after being designated for assignment when the Bucs called up Konnor Griffin last week.

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Larry Brown Sports / April 9

Paul Skenes has ominous comments after Konnor Griffin's extension

Paul Skenes had a very interesting choice of words this week.

Pirates owner addresses Konnor Griffin's record-breaking extension

Konnor Griffin eyes bright Pirates future after signing record contract

The 'Last 200-K pitcher by MLB team' quiz

Pittsburgh Pirates News / Yardbarker / April 8

Pirates owner addresses Konnor Griffin's historic extension

Pirates owner addresses Konnor Griffin's record-breaking extension

It's been a while since Pittsburgh Pirates fans had anything to be hopeful for. However, after years of a frugal approach to roster-building, it looks like they're finally ready to spend.

Griffin eyes bright Pirates future after signing record contract

Paul Skenes has ominous comments after Griffin's extension

Blue Jays' minor league team scored eight runs without a single hit

Injury-plagued Astros hit with more bad news as two starters exit loss to Rockies

Sandy Alcantara calls out Marlins manager after costly decision

Giants rookie accomplishes a feat that was last done in 1961